Buying a mattress is one of the most important purchases you'll make. You'll spend around a third of your life on it — so getting it right matters. But with hundreds of options, confusing terminology and endless marketing claims, it can feel overwhelming.
This guide cuts through the noise. Written by a family with over 50 years in the UK bed industry, it covers everything you need to know to make a confident, informed decision.
1. Start with your sleep position
Your sleep position is the single biggest factor in choosing the right mattress. It determines how your spine needs to be supported through the night.
Side sleepers You need a mattress that cushions your shoulders and hips — the widest parts of your body — to keep your spine in a straight line. Too firm and you'll feel pressure at these points. Too soft and your hips will sink and your spine will curve.
Best choice: Medium feel — memory foam or a pocket spring hybrid with a comfort layer.
Back sleepers You need even support across the full length of your spine. A medium-firm mattress works best — firm enough to prevent your lower back from sinking, soft enough to be comfortable.
Best choice: Medium-firm feel — hybrid or orthopaedic.
Front sleepers Front sleeping puts the most strain on your lower back. You need a firmer surface to keep your hips level and prevent your spine from arching downward.
Best choice: Firm feel — orthopaedic or firm hybrid.
Combination sleepers If you move around a lot through the night, you need a mattress that works across multiple positions. A medium feel is the best all-rounder.
Best choice: Medium feel — pocket spring hybrid.
2. Understand firmness ratings
Firmness is usually rated on a scale of 1-10, though different brands use different scales. Here's a general guide:
| Rating | Feel | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | Soft | Side sleepers, lighter body weight |
| 4-6 | Medium | Combination sleepers, most body weights |
| 7-8 | Medium-firm | Back sleepers, heavier body weight |
| 9-10 | Firm/Extra firm | Front sleepers, orthopaedic needs, very heavy body weight |
Important: Firmness feels different to different people. A heavier person will sink further into the same mattress than a lighter person, making it feel softer. Always consider your body weight alongside your sleep position.
3. Choose your construction type
Pocket spring mattresses Individual springs sewn into their own fabric pockets, each moving independently. The gold standard for support and durability. Minimises motion transfer between partners. Breathable — sleeps cooler than foam.
Memory foam mattresses Contours to your body shape, relieving pressure on joints. Good for side sleepers and people with hip or shoulder pain. Can retain heat — look for gel-infused or open-cell foam if you sleep warm.
Hybrid mattresses Combines pocket springs with a foam or natural comfort layer. Gets the best of both worlds — the support of springs with the comfort of foam. The most popular choice for good reason.
Natural filling mattresses Wool, silk, cashmere or cotton fillings instead of synthetic foam. Naturally temperature-regulating — cooler in summer, warmer in winter. Better for hot sleepers and eco-conscious buyers. Tends to be more expensive but improves with use rather than degrading.
Orthopaedic mattresses Specifically designed for back pain and postural support. Firmer construction engineered to keep the spine correctly aligned. Not necessarily rock hard — modern orthopaedic mattresses balance firm support with comfort.
4. Spring count — does it matter?
Spring count is often used as a marketing metric but it's not the whole story. Here's what to know:
Higher spring count = more precise support — more springs means each spring is smaller and responds more precisely to your body shape. 1,000 springs is good. 2,000+ is excellent.
But quality matters more than quantity — a well-made 1,000 spring mattress will outperform a poorly made 2,000 spring mattress every time. Pay attention to the gauge (thickness) of the springs and how they're constructed, not just the number.
Coil gauge — a lower gauge number means a thicker, firmer spring. Higher gauge means softer springs. Most hybrid mattresses use a gauge of around 13-14.
5. Consider your body weight
Body weight affects how a mattress performs:
| Body weight | Recommended firmness |
|---|---|
| Under 60kg | Soft to medium — lighter people don't compress the mattress as much |
| 60-90kg | Medium to medium-firm — the average range most mattresses are designed for |
| 90-110kg | Medium-firm to firm — more support needed to prevent sinking |
| Over 110kg | Firm — look for higher spring counts and denser foam layers |
6. Materials and certifications
When buying a mattress, look for:
CertiPUR-US or OEKO-TEX certification — confirms foam has been tested for harmful substances. Important especially if you have allergies or sensitivities.
Made in Britain mark — confirms UK manufacturing. Important if provenance and quality standards matter to you.
BS7177 fire safety standard — all UK mattresses must meet this. Confirms the mattress is fire resistant to domestic standard.
Natural fillings — wool, silk and cashmere are naturally hypoallergenic and temperature-regulating. If you're sensitive to synthetic materials, a natural filling mattress is worth the premium.
7. Size guide
Choosing the right size is straightforward but worth checking:
| Size | Dimensions | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Single | 90 x 190cm | One person, children, spare rooms |
| Small double | 120 x 190cm | One person who wants more space, smaller rooms |
| Double | 135 x 190cm | Couples in smaller rooms, single sleepers who want space |
| King | 150 x 200cm | Most couples — the most popular size |
| Super king | 180 x 200cm | Couples who want maximum space |
Tips:
- Allow at least 60cm either side of the bed for comfortable movement around the room
- Check your bed frame size before ordering — mattress and frame should match exactly
- King mattresses are 10cm longer than double — check your room length
8. What to look for in a trial period and warranty
Trial period — a good trial period gives you at least 30 nights to adjust to a new mattress before deciding. Most reputable brands offer 100-200 nights. Lola Sleep offers a 120-night trial — well above the industry standard.
Warranty — look for at least 10 years. Check the terms carefully — some warranties only cover manufacturing defects above a certain indentation threshold, which can exclude many real-world comfort issues.
Returns process — a good brand makes returns easy. Check whether they collect the mattress or expect you to return it yourself.
9. Delivery — what to look for
Standard mattress delivery leaves the mattress at your door or just inside. For a product that can weigh 30-40kg and needs carrying upstairs, this isn't ideal.
Look for:
- 2-man delivery — two people carry the mattress to your room of choice
- Setup included — mattress placed on your bed frame, not left in a box
- Packaging removal — they take the wrapping away with them
- Old mattress removal — collection of your old mattress at the same time
Lola Sleep includes all of the above as standard with every order — free 2-man delivery to your room of choice, full setup, packaging removed.
10. Budget — what should you spend?
A good mattress is a long-term investment. Here's a realistic guide to what different budgets get you:
| Budget (double) | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Under £300 | Basic construction, shorter lifespan, limited support options |
| £300-£500 | Good quality pocket spring hybrid, solid warranty, decent trial period |
| £500-£700 | Premium construction, higher spring count, better materials |
| £700+ | Luxury materials, natural fillings, flagship models |
Our honest advice: Don't overspend on a brand name. A well-made £499 UK mattress will often outperform a heavily marketed £699 imported mattress. Focus on construction quality, materials and the reputation of the people behind the product — not the size of the advertising budget.
Which Lola Sleep mattress is right for you?
Based on everything above, here's where to start:
For back pain or front sleeping — Lola Ortho Hybrid Firm orthopaedic support, 1,000 pocket springs, designed to keep your spine correctly aligned. Our most popular mattress. From £449.
For side sleeping or memory foam comfort — Lola Memory Hybrid Classic memory foam feel with pocket spring support underneath. Medium feel, pressure relieving. From £399.
For hot sleepers or natural materials — Lola Natural Silk, wool and cashmere fillings, naturally temperature-regulating. No synthetic foam. From £499.
For the best of everything — Lola Performance Hybrid 2,000 pocket springs, cooling gel foam, 32cm deep. Our flagship model. From £649.
For best value — Lola Memory Pocket Double-sided, Tencel™ cover, 1,000 pocket springs. Our most affordable mattress. From £299.
Still not sure? Email us at lola.customerservices@lolasleep.co.uk and we'll help you choose personally.
Prices and information correct as of June 2026. We review our buying guides annually.
